MEDINAH, Ill. — If the U.S. is going to wrest the Ryder Cup from the grips of the Europeans, they’re going to have to tear it out of Ian Poulter’s hands.

Poulter has become the new Seve Ballesteros for Europe, willing his team to victory, and he did not disappoint yesterday, winning both of his matches to give him an 11-3 career record. In his afternoon four-ball match, the last of the day playing with Rory McIlroy, Poulter birdied the last five holes.

“I could have just walked into the clubhouse. Tt was the ‘Poults’ show, and it was a joy to watch,’’ McIlroy said.

“I think the Ryder Cup should build a statue for him,’’ European captain Jose Maria Olazabal said. “That’s Poulter. He has such a special character for this event. He thrives at this event. He loves to be in the spotlight. What he did today was just outstanding, period, just amazing.

“The way he played those last few holes, making those clutch putts, that is the expression of the Ryder Cup.’’

Asked if Poulter reminds him of anyone, Olazabal spoke of the late Ballesteros, Europe’s most revered Ryder Cup player ever.

“There is one [player] that is not here with us anymore, but I’m pretty sure when he looks down on us he must have been proud of what he saw today,’’ Olazabal said.

“Match play, I love the fight of it,’’ Poulter said. “I mean, you get to stare your opponent straight in the face, and sometimes that’s what you need to do.’’

Poulter does not shy away from the fact he is the most polarizing figure on the team, the one every American player want to take down.

“Yeah, that’s fine by me,’’ he said. “I guess I’ve had a bull’s eye on my back for a while. I’m tough to play against in match play. Guys want to beat me. That’s fine. I want to beat them just as bad as they want to beat me, and I’m not going to roll over. I’m going to go down blazing, it’s dead simple.

“I love the Ryder Cup, I love all my teammates, my captain, vice captains. You know what? You’ve got to give it 100 percent. I’ve got three weeks off after this. I can rest then.’’